parenting

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Dear Jack: The Importance of Traditions

13 years, 11 months.

Dear Jack,

I have recently noted the extreme value you place on “tradition” in your life. As we have transitioned to our new norms here in Alabama, I have recognized your silent struggle with the fact we haven’t yet established our own new traditions; compared to when we lived in Tennessee.

So that’s how our “Sunday Night S’mores” ritual was born a few weeks ago.

But by the 2nd week, it was too wet outside from the recent rain, so we maintained our new tradition by making s’mores in our oven in the kitchen instead.

There is certainly something comforting about routine. And as it relates to our family, it helps give life meaning and it helps create beautiful experiences.

Now I need to keep thinking of new ideas for traditions for us to start…

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: 10 Years Later, You’re Now in the Photo

8 years, 5 months.

Dear Holly,

This past weekend as I took updated versions of our family photos from exactly a decade ago, it took me a moment to grasp the concept:

“Oh, right! Holly wasn’t even born 10 years ago when this first photo was made!”

For everyone else in the “same ages” photo update, I simply added 10 years. But for you, as well as your cousin Darla, you showed up on the new photo as an 8 year-old.

Isn’t it strange to think you haven’t just always been here with the rest of us this whole time? You don’t remember there ever not being you.

But I do.

And I’m definitely glad you’re here now!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Jack: You Got a Perm for the 8th Grade School Year

13 years, 8 months.
Dear Jack,
Twenty-six years ago in the summer of 1998, I went to get a perm from Chalane McClung at Golden Shears; in preparation of my upcoming senior year at Fort Payne High School.
This week, you got a perm from Chalane McClung at Golden Shears; in preparation of your upcoming 8th grade year at Fort Payne Middle School.
It was all your idea. You have been refraining from getting a haircut for the past 3 months.
And now, you have confirmed it was totally worth it.
Not only do you get to be the cool new kid who transferred in from Tennessee, but you get to be the boy with the coolest hair!
Love,
Daddy
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Dear Holly: You Lost Your First Front Tooth This Week

8 years, 3 months.

Dear Holly,

It feels so weird to say this, but you start the 3rd grade next week. I thought we were still in the middle of summer right now, but I guess not.

You are very proud that you will begin the new school year, and your new school in a new state, with one of your front teeth missing.

Actually, I will be very surprised if you make it another week before losing your other front tooth.

It’s so wiggly right now that it is just funny that it’s still hanging in there!

Either way, you made 10 bucks this week from losing that tooth. I guess that means another 10 bucks is on the way.

 

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Constant Access to Your Cousin Now

8 years, 2 months.

Dear Holly,

For your entire life, you were only able to see your cousin Darla once every month or two, based on us driving to Alabama from Tennessee.

Now that we have moved to Alabama and live on the same street as her, you seem to be hanging out with her every chance you get.

Not only that, the two of you talk to each other every day on an app from JusTalk. So while Mommy and I are working from home, I can hear you in your bedroom catching up with Darla each morning.

You are loving our move here!

Love,

Daddy